RENFREW COUNTY CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
RCCDSB mourns passing of former Director John Stunt

The Renfrew County Catholic District School Board (RCCDSB) is saddened by the passing of Former Director of Education and provincial and national advocate for Catholic education, John Stunt on Thursday, July 23.

Mr. Stunt joined the RCCDSB as a supervisory officer in 1981 and became Director of Education in 1989, serving until 2000. Following his retirement from the Board, he served as Executive Director for the Ontario Catholic School Trustees' Association (OCSTA) for more than 10 years.

"John was truly dedicated to the promotion and protection of Catholic education, and worked hard to ensure that the legacy of excellence was maintained and enhanced into the future both here in Renfrew County and beyond," noted RCCDSB Trustee/former Chair Bob Schreader who worked with Mr. Stunt for many years.

Among his many significant contributions during his time with the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board, Mr. Stunt was a founder of the board's Dominican Republic Experience, the architect of the Board's Vision Statement and led a successful campaign in 1997 to head off amalgamation of the Board with a larger entity therein preserving a strong local voice for Catholic education.

Mr. Stunt was involved with the Ontario Principals' Association, served six years on the executive of Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers' Association (OCSOA), and was the first Chair of the OCSOA Religion Committee. He was a recipient of OCSOA's B. E. Nelligan Award and received an Honorary Lifetime Membership Award from the Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education (OAPCE).

Mr. Stunt was also a member of the Minister's Working Group on the Royal Commission on Learning, a member of the Institute for Catholic Education committee, executive member of the Council of Directors of Education and served several years on the Board of Directors of the Institute for Catholic Education and as Executive Director of the Canadian Catholic School Trustees' Association in Ottawa.

"John was an outstanding leader and contributor to Catholic education. We pay tribute to his long-time involvement and steadfast support at local, provincial and national levels as we extend our condolences to his family," said Dave Howard, RCCDSB Chair.